GAME REPORT

Dupree At The Double For Classy Kursk

Shay Doron (pictured) and Candice Dupree led the scoring for Kursk with 16 points apiece

Dynamo Kursk underlined their EuroCup Women credentials after a double-double from Candice Dupree helped take down Mersin Buyuksehir 76-66 in the first leg of their quarter-final match-up.

Kursk play-caller Bo Overton watched on intently as his side led from tip to buzzer, with Dupree the pick of some strong performances right down the roster.

The forward finished with a fantastic 16 points and 14 rebounds, as well as dishing up five assists to grab the limelight as Kursk took an ominous double-digit advantage back to Russia.

Always looking like they had an extra edge, the visitors moved 20-12 ahead in the early stages and even though a basket by Ashley Paris got Mersin back in contention at 27-25, Kursk eased away to maintain a handy cushion.

And, by the time Oleksandra Kurasova converted early in the fourth quarter to make it 60-47, it looked like Kursk might be on course for a blowout.

But, with the Paris sisters both on form in the paint, Mersin came storming back and a triple by Croatian forward Ana Lelas made it a one-shot game with three minutes remaining.

However, yet again Kursk found another gear and took their lead back out to double-figures as they scored eight of the last eleven points in the contest.

Shay Doron found her shooting touch to claim 16 points for the winning side, whilst Epiphanny Prince was one assist short of a double-double.

Ashley Paris had a fine 10 points and 11 rebounds from five of six floor shooting for Mersin and Courtney Paris recorded 18 points and eight boards alongside her.